Ferrari Challenge THE TRACKS: California Speedway, Fontana California Speedway is a two-mile, low-banked, D-shaped oval super-speedway in Fontana, California, similar to that of its ‘sister track’, the Michigan International Speedway, which located on the site of the former Kaiser Steel mill. It is a relatively new track, opening in early 1997, located a stone's throw from the old Ontario Motor Speedway and the old Riverside International Raceway. Like many modern oval tracks, California Speedway also features an infield road-course. The facility is often used for television shows and commercials, and for major films. In 2000, portions of Charlie's Angels were filmed at the speedway and in 2004, portions of Herbie: Fully Loaded were filmed there. California Speedway was considerably overhauled in 1999 following the death of Canadian driver Greg Moore, who was killed in a crash into a concrete retaining wall. This incident resulted in a major overhaul of the track, including the paving of the infield grass on the backstretch in time for the 2000 NASCAR event.

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is located at Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Notre-Dame, a man-made island in the St. Lawrence River in Montreal. The racetrack is named after legendary Ferrari driver, Canadian Gilles Villeneuve, who won six Grand Prix races in his short career at the highest level of motor-racing, before he tragically died in an infamous 140mph collision with German Jochen Mass in the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is the venue for the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix. Though the circuit’s roads were designed for automobile racing, they are also used as public roads for the rest of the year and many experienced drivers have been caught out by barriers located very close to the track. The most famous part of the circuit is the Quebec Wall on the outside of the exit of the final chicane, which famously ended the race of Formula One World Champions, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher & Jacques Villeneuve in 1999.

Fiorano, Italy Fiorano is the historic home of Ferrari and symbolises the heritage, emotion and engineering excellence at the heart of the Maranello legend. The Fiorano circuit is located a stone’s throw from the factory in Maranello and was officially opened on 8th April 1972. It is a private track used purely for development and testing and to allow Ferrari customers to test drive new cars. On 4th June 1988 Pope John Paul II visited Ferrari and completed one lap of the track alongside Piero Ferrari. The track is 8.4 metres (27.6 ft) wide and 3.02 km (1.9 miles) long. As it's a testing track, it has many different kinds of turns and corners, with corner diameters between 13 metres (42.7 ft) and 0.3 metres (1.0 ft), and is fully equipped with telemetry instrumentation and a large steering pad for testing. It's a common sight to see Ferrari ‘Tifosi' peering through the roadside fence, the closest point at which the track is viewable to the public, to get a glimpse of the tests in progress.

Hockenheim, Germany The Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, situated in Germany’s Rhine valley. Originally built in 1932, it first hosted the German Grand Prix in 1970, when F1 drivers boycotted the Nürburgring unless major changes were made on that circuit. Subsequently, the German Grand Prix ran at Hockenheim from 1977 to 2006 (with the exception of 1985, when the race was again held at the Nürburgring). Scuderia Ferrari has had a particularly good run in current years, having won the World Championship six times since 1994, with Michael Schumacher winning the race three times for Ferrari at Hockenheim since 2002. 2002 was also the year that the Hockenheim circuit was completely modified, with the long straights through the forest and the Ostkurve disappearing completely. The circuit now features a far tighter first turn, the Nordkurve, a number of second and third gear corners and a host of other challenging corners reaching the Motodrom, which remains unchanged.

The tight hairpin following the very long back straight offers Hockenheim’s best overtaking possibility. Homestead, Florida Homestead-Miami Speedway is a racetrack in Homestead, Florida, southwest of Miami. It was originally constructed with the efforts of promoter Ralph Sanchez as part of a plan to help Homestead rebound after the devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew. Groundbreaking began August 24, 1993, less than a year after the hurricane, and the circuit officially opened in November 1995. The track opened as a four-turn rectangular-oval, though initially the sharp, flat turns and aprons made passing overly difficult and the track’s unforgiving geometry led to numerous crashes. Homestead was widened in 1996, with the aprons of the turns considerably increased. In the summer of 1997, an $8.2 million reconfiguration project changed the turns from a quad-oval to a traditional, continuous turn oval and in 2003, the track was reconfigured once again and the turns were changed from mostly flat to steep variable banking.

Homestead is considered by some to be one of the most beautiful in the country, with the design of the track reflecting the art deco aesthetic of downtown Miami. Infineon Raceway, California Infineon Raceway (formerly known as Sears Point Raceway) is a road course located in the southern Sonoma Mountains near Sonoma, California, USA. A twisting 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course and a quarter-mile drag strip were carved into the picturesque rolling hills at the gateway to the Sonoma Wine Country back in 1968. Since that time, race fans from around the world have been treated to some of the greatest racing highlights of all time on this unique race track. The course is a complex series of twists and turns that go up and down the hills. The standard road course at Infineon Raceway is a 4.05 km (2.52 mile), 12 turn course, though the track was modified in 1998, adding the Chute, which bypassed turns 5 and 6, shortening the course to 3.14 km (1.95 miles).

The main Turn 11 has no runoff, and is a very slow turn, very similar to the Loews hairpin at Monaco. Misano, Italy The Misano World Circuit is located next to the town of Misano Adriatico and is characterised by a high number of curves and chicanes, linked by a number of high-speed straights. The circuit was re-named in 2007 as it was previously known as Circuito Internazionale Santamonica. Perhaps the most technically demanding curve is the Misano itself, found at the end of the start-finish straight. Misano was originally designed in 1969 as a length of 3.49 kilometres (2.17 miles). In 1993 the track was lengthened to 4.06 kilometres (2.52 miles) making it possible to use two track configurations, a long and a short one, with further modifications made in 2006 with the circuit direction changed to a clockwise direction and the track lengthened even further to 4.18 km (2.6 miles).

In 2005, a new access point to the circuit was built, in via Daijiro Kato (Daijiro Kato street) in honor of the late Japanese pilot, killed during the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix, who loved to live in the frazione Portoverde of Misano Adriatico. Mont-Tremblant, Quebec Circuit Mont Tremblant is a 4.26 km (2.65 mi) race circuit about 13 km (8.1 miles) north of the villages of Mont-Tremblant and Saint-Jovite in Quebec, Canada. Located in the picturesque Laurentian Mountain, its twisty 15-corner design utilizes the natural topography of the land making it one of the finest and most demanding circuits in the world. The hillsides around the track provide natural grandstands affording spectators with magnificent elevated vantage points. Mont-Tremblant is regarded as one of the finest racing circuits in North America and has been described as ‘the Little Nurburgring’ by Michael Schumacher.

Jacky Ickx won the Formula One here for Ferrari in 1970, in one of the two Canadian Grand Prix events staged at the track. Amazingly, due to the bumpy track surface, only sixteen of the forty cars that entered those two races actually managed to reach the checkered flag. The track was bought and modernized by Montreal-based fashion mogul Lawrence Stroll in 2000. Monza, Italy Autodromo Nazionale Monza is one of the most historic motor racing circuits in the world, best known as the spiritual home of the Scuderia Ferrari and their passionate supporters, the Tifosi. Monza opened in 1922 and featured considerably raised banks that can still be seen in the park today. Many fondly remember the prototype 1000km Monza championship dogfights of the 1960s between Ferrari, Porsche and Ford in which a Ferrari 330 P3 scored a victory in ’66 and 330 P4s took first and second place in ’67 helping Ferrari to recapture the coveted prototypes world title.

The main features of the track include the Curva di Lesmo, the Curva Parabolica, and the Variante Ascari. The braking points before the Prima Variante and the Variante della Roggia are the two prime overtaking spots. Monza has claimed the lives of many drivers, including the famous death of Jochen Rindt, the only ever posthumous World Champion who died on the Curva Parabolica in the 1970 Italian Grand Prix. Two of the most serious Italian racing accidents in history happened here - the death of driver Emilio Materassi and 27 spectators in 1928 and the fatal collision in the 1961 Italian Grand Prix when Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips’ Ferrari crashed into a side barrier, killing himself and 15 spectators. Mugello, Italy Tuscany’s beautiful Mugello racetrack, originally a road circuit, is over five kilometres in length and set in an idyllic natural bowl which offers an ideal view of the racing for spectators.

Over thirty thousand Ferrari ‘Tifosi’ gathered at Mugello in October 2007, to salute Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa, Luca Badoer, Marc Gené and the entire F1 World Championship winning team. The fans were treated to an on-track demonstration of the F430 GT cars that took Ferrari to victory in the 2007 FIA GT2 and ALMS GT2 Constructors’ Cup. Mugello was considerably re-designed by Ferrari in the 1970s and is now one of the most scenic, modern and safe racing facilities in the world, as well as the regular test centre of Ferrari F1. Drivers need nerves of steel to cope with Mugello’s fifteen hairpin curves. Every section of the track needs to be driven well to set a decent lap time and the constant rises and falls add to the difficulty of judging the ideal race line. Paul Ricard, France The Paul Ricard Circuit, originally financed by the infamous drinks millionaire, was originally built in 1969 at Le Castellet, near Marseille in France. At that time, due to its innovative and modern facilities, it was considered by many to be the safest motor racing track in the world.

The original circuit was dominated by the mile-long Mistral Straight, followed by the high-speed Signes corner, though the circuit was modified slightly in 1986 following the fatal crash of Formula One driver Elio de Angelis at the fast first turn. Paul Ricard is particularly popular for testing throughout the winter months, due to the particularly good weather conditions in the south of France. The original 5.8 km (3.61 miles) track was shortened in 1989 to 3.8km (2.37 miles) and is built on a plateau, hence it is very flat, characterised by the long Mistral straight (1.2 km) and elongated track design. Silverstone, Great Britain Silverstone is one of the world's most famous motor sport venues and is a hugely popular track with drivers and spectators alike, with no two corners out of the fifteen challenging turns alike. Built on the site of a World War II bomber base, Silverstone is best known as the home of the British Grand Prix, which it first hosted in 1948.

On 14th July 1951 Ferrari celebrated its first win in a Formula 1 World Championship at the British Grand Prix with Froilan Gonzales driving the Ferrari 375 F1. The Grand Prix was most recently won by Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen in 2007 after overtaking pole position driver Lewis Hamilton during the first round of pit stops. The first few corners at Silverstone soon sort the men from the boys as cars head straight into the infamous high speed right-hand Copse corner, followed by a single file run through the high-speed kinks of Maggots and Becketts, before hitting the throttle hard at Chapel and heading down the long Hangar straight. The track offers many opportunities for slipstreaming, so overtaking is often hard for less able drivers. Spa, Belgium The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world and a favourite of many racing drivers and fans alike.

Spa is the famous venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix, where Ferrari has celebrated numerous wins from Alberto Ascari in 1952, Phil Hill and John Surtees in the 1960s, Niki Lauda and Jody Scheckter in the 1970s to the more recent victories of Michele Alboreto, Michael Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen. It is also the venue of the Spa 24 Hours endurance race and the 1000km Spa. In the legendary prototype championships of the 1960s, Mike Parkes and Ludovico Scarfiotti’s Ferrari 330 P3 won at Spa in 1966. Spa is considered to be one of the most challenging racetracks in the world. It was shortened from 14 km (8.7 miles) to 7 km (4.35 miles) in 1979 and is a fast and hilly route through the Ardennes, famous for its unpredictable weather. The Eau Rouge and Blanchimont corners both need to be taken flat-out with the race line exactly right to achieve a fast run onto the following straights.

It’s incredibly difficult to correctly line-up your car for the sudden slowdown at the Bus Stop chicane, which makes this a favoured overtaking point. Virginia International Raceway The Virginia International Raceway (commonly known as just ‘VIR’) is a road course located near Danville, Virginia. VIR, one of America’s leading Motorsport resorts, opened for business in August, 1957, with laconic Texan driver Carroll Shelby claiming that: "One lap at VIR is like a hundred at Watkins Glen." The track fell on hard times in the early 1970s and reverted to farmland for 25 years, until it was re-opened in 1998 by vintage sports car racer Harvey Siegel. VIR hosts amateur and professional events, offering four configurations, of which two can always be run simultaneously. The Full Course at VIR is 3.27 miles in length while the Patriot Course stretches for 1.1 miles entirely inside the Full Course. The North Course is 2.25 miles long and the South Course covers a distance of 1.65 miles.

Both consist of a portion of the Full Course and short connecting sections that connect to portions of the Patriot Course to produce the two courses that can run simultaneously. **************************************************************************************************** UNLOCKABLE CARS: FXX [2006] The highly distinctive Ferrari FXX is central to an unusual development program initiated by Ferrari for future product research. Beginning production in 2005, just 30 of the cars were built. The FXX uses technology developed from the Enzo and Ferrari’s Formula 1 program, including cutting-edge aerodynamics. With the engine expanded to 6,262cc and output boosted to 800 HP at 8500 rpm, the FXX is almost unmatched in performance terms and represents the pinnacle of supercar technology, delivering a power-to-weight ratio of just 1.44KG per horsepower. Michael Schumacher was given the last FXX (in a distinctive black) when he retired from Formula One racing at the end of 2006.

Top speed 217mph • 0-60 2.8s • Engine Size 6262cc • BHP 800 • Value $2,200,000 250 GTO [1962] The Ferrari 250 GTO is a thoroughbred racing model manufactured in the early 1960s and is undoubtedly one of the most famous sports cars of all time. The 250 GTO debuted at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1962, driven by the team of American Phil Hill and finishing 2nd overall. It was the last racing Ferrari with a front mounted engine and during its heyday, the GTO dominated the World Sports Car championship by winning the International GT Championship for three years running from 1962-64. Widely considered to be the quintessential Ferrari model, Sports Car International named the 250 GTO the top sports car of all time.

Top speed 173 mph • 0-60 6.1s • Engine Size 2953cc • BHP 300 • Value $15,000,000 250 Testa Rossa [1958] The classic 250 Testa Rossa (meaning ‘redhead’, named after the red valve covers) is a race model built by Ferrari in the 1950s and 1960s. Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with this car in 1958 and variations of the 250 Testa Rossa went on to win the same race in 1960 and 1961. In all, 34 250 Testa Rossas were built from 1956 through to 1961. After the 250 GTO, the 250 Testa Rossa is the second most valuable Ferrari model, often valued at more than US$8,000,000.

Top speed 167 mph • 0-60 8.0s • Engine Size 1984cc • BHP 195 • Value $4,000,000+ 275 LM [1964] The Ferrari 275 is a 2-seat front-engined Gran Turismo model produced by Ferrari between 1964 and 1968. The 275 introduced Ferrari's ‘transaxle’ concept, where the transmission and rear axle are integrated into one unit. Motor Trend Classic named the 275 as number three in their list of the ten ‘Greatest Ferraris of all time’. For the 1965 racing season, four lightweight 275 GTB Competizione Speciales were built and equipped with 250 LM engines, with several of these entering the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Top speed 162mph • 0-60 n/a • Engine Size 3286cc• BHP 300 • Value - Priceless 333 SP [1994] First unveiled at the end of 1993, the Ferrari 333 SP was a prototype car built by Michelotto to World Sports Car regulations for Ferrari, marking Ferrari's official return to sports car racing after a 20 year absence. The car was built to compete in the IMSA's new WSC class, which replaced the previous GTP cars. In 1995, the 333 SP took top honours at the 12 Hours of Sebring. The engine is a version of the V12 powerplant used in the 1992 Ferrari F92 Formula One car, but enlarged to 4.0 litres, helping the 333SP output around 600 BHP.

Top speed 228mph • 0-60 3.6s • Engine Size 3997cc • BHP 650 • Value $1,000,000 348 Challenge [1994] In 1994, Ferrari made several variant 348 Challenge models with engines ranging from 360 hp to 500 hp. Some of these 348 Challenges were constructed in conjunction with the Michelotto performance house for road use in Europe. These road-legal 348 Challenges had kevlar front and rear bumpers, kevlar seats, kevlar door panels, whilst the Le Mans race models used F40 half-shafts. The 348 Challenge models were introduced to be raced by customers in a one model race series, which eventually into the Ferrari Challenge.

Top speed 177mph • 0-60 6.0s • Engine Size 3997cc • BHP 650 • Value $1,000,000 348 [1989] The Ferrari 348, first unveiled at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show, replaced the Ferrari 328. Designed by Pininfarina, the front end of the 348 offers a grille flanked by two large headlamps, with the sides characterised by distinctive air intake grilles. The rear section has a much shorter overhang which gives the 348 a slightly aggressive look, with the treatment of the rear lighting groups being reminiscent of the Testarossa. The 348 features a naturally aspirated 3.4 litre version of the quad-cam, 4-valve per cylinder V8 engine.

Top speed 174mph • 0-60 5.3s • Engine Size 3405cc • BHP 320 • Value $60,000 360 Challenge [2004] The 360 Challenge is a track only car - a non-road legal variant of the 360 Modena and over an inch lower, with 120kg less weight due to extensive use of carbon fibre and stripping of all the road car’s luxuries, such as the leather interior, electric windows and mirrors. The 360 Challenge has a racing interior with fully-integrated welded roll cage and in-cabin fire extinguisher. The Challenge was only made available in F1 automatic variant. No manual cars were produced. Top speed 186mph • 0-60 4.0s • Engine Size 3586cc • BHP 425 • Value $220,000 360 GT [2005] The 360 GT was designed as a replacement for the universally acclaimed F355 model and is based on the 360 Modena Challenge car.

The 360 GT was made available in two versions: one conforming to the FIA regulations for Group N-GT and another complying with rules for the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest/Le Mans). The car is fitted with a 3586 cc V8 engine, capable of putting out around 430 horsepower. A model based on the Challenge car won the 2001 FIA N-GT Championship. Top speed 186mph• 0-60 3.5s • Engine Size 3586cc • BHP 450 • Value $350,000 360 [1999] The classic Ferrari 360, produced between 1999 and 2004, replaced the F355 and was itself later replaced by the similar looking F430. For the 360, Ferrari partnered with Alcoa to produce an all-aluminium chassis that was 40% stiffer and 28% lighter than the 355.

The 360’s smooth lines and the retro styling of Pininfarina’s body design broke with the 1990s trend for sharp-angles and flip-up headlights. Ferrari produced seven versions of the basic 360: three road models, three race versions & a one-off wedding present to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo. Top speed 183mph • 0-60 4.5s • Engine Size 3586cc • BHP 400 • Value $100,000 365 GTB/Comp [1968] The Ferrari 365 GTB/4, better known by the unofficial name Ferrari Daytona, resembles a Lamborghini more than a traditional Pininfarina Ferrari, thanks to its distinctive sharp-edged styling. Produced between 1968 and 1973, the Daytona was first introduced to the public at the 1968 Paris Auto Salon as the replacement for the 275 GTB/4. It was the last of the front engine Ferrari GTs until the layout was revived in the 1990s.

Top speed 180mph • 0-60 5.9s • Engine Size 4390cc • BHP 352 • Value $350,000 F430 Challenge [2005] The F430 Challenge was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, retaining the same look and 490hp engine as its road-going predecessor, but with the addition of a number of race-oriented modifications and new features more suitable for a track car. The carbon-ceramic material braking system is a first for a Ferrari sports competition car. The F430’s e-diff was replaced by a mechanical differential and the EBD was replaced by a mechanical system. The rear of the car is characterised by a new exhaust system with high central tail pipes.

Top speed 198mph • 0-60 3.5s • Engine Size 4308cc • BHP 482 • Value $225,000 512M [1970] In order to favour clients with 512 vehicles, Ferrari built the 512M variant which came out in the Zeltweg 1000 km, and differed from the S model featuring completely new bodywork, a more powerful braking system, a lighter chassis and increased power. The 512M won the 1970 Kyalami 9 Hours race (with Ickx and Giunti) and the Shell Cup (with Merzario) and came third in the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hours race (with Posey-Adamowicz).

Top speed 196mph • 0-60 4.6s • Engine Size 4943cc • BHP 420 • Value $150,000 512S [1969] The powerful Ferrari 512S made its first appearance in November 1969 and regularly competed in the 1970 World Championship of Makes. The engine for the 512S was a totally new V12 with 550 bhp output, similar to Ferrari’s then-current Formula 1 engine and featuring a maze of cooling pipes and a heavy radiator. The car weighed in at 840kg, mostly due to the chassis being constructed from steel, reinforced with aluminium sheet. Ferrari manufactured 25 512S cars, with one sold to Solar Productions to feature in the Steve McQueen movie Le Mans, in which it was driven (and, unfortunately, destroyed) by Derek Bell.

Top speed 211mph • 0-60 n/a • Engine Size 4993cc • BHP 550• Value $2,500,000 550 [1996] The 550 marked a significant change in direction for Ferrari because after over 20 years of rear-engined vehicles, the 550 featured a powerful, front-mounted 5.4 litre 12 cylinder engine. This switch in engine position was based on the desire to offer satisfactory passenger space without jeopardising performance in any way. With at top speed of 199mph and acceleration of 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds, the 550 lead the way in its class. Top speed 199mph • 0-60 4.2s • Engine Size 5474 cc • BHP 485 • Value $100,000 575 GTC [2005] Following racing specialist Prodrive’s track success with its modified Ferrari 550, Ferrari chose to offer their own racing variant to customers.

The result was the 575 GTC, a racing version of the 575M Maranello. With the `C´ in the name standing for `competizione’, the cars were used primarily in the FIA GT Championship. The 575 GTCs managed to take a single win in their first season, followed by another lone win in 2004. Unfortunately the 575 GTCs were not as capable as the Prodrive-built 550 GTSs, and fell out of use by the end of 2005. Top speed 208 mph • 0-60 3.5s • Engine Size 5997cc • BHP 600 • Value $600,000 575 [2002] The Ferrari 575 is a two-seat, two-door, grand tourer sports car launched in 2002. Essentially an updated 550 Maranello, the 575 featured minor styling changes from Pininfarina and included a re-designed interior.

Substantial improvements to the car’s performance included bigger brake discs, a larger and more powerful engine, different weight distribution, refined aerodynamics and an adaptive suspension set-up. Also, and for the first time on a Ferrari V12, a semi-automatic 'F1' gearbox was made available on some models. Top speed 203mph • 0-60 4.2s • Engine Size 5748cc • BHP 540 • Value $160,000 F40 [1987] The F40 replaced the 288 GTO as Ferrari’s ultimate road car. Produced from 1987 to 1992 to celebrate the company's 40th anniversary, it was the result of Enzo Ferrari’s desire to build a car with superlative performance and a clear racing pedigree that could be driven on the road. The F40 was the last car to be commissioned by Enzo himself, before his death at the age of 90 on August 14, 1988. It’s legendary status makes it a fitting tribute.

Top speed 201mph • 0-60 n/a • Engine Size 2936cc • BHP 478 • Value $420,000 F50 [1995] The F50 was first unveiled at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show to celebrate the Ferrari’s 50th anniversary and as a replacement for the F40. As a two-door, two-seat convertible sports car with a removable hardtop, it also featured a 4.7L naturally-aspirated 60-valve V12 engine, which was developed from the 3.5L V12 used in the 1992 Ferrari F92 Formula One car. Only 349 cars were made, with the last F50 rolling out of the Maranello gates in July 1997.

Top speed 201 mph • 0-60 3.7s • Engine Size 4698cc • BHP 520 • Value $850,000 F355 Challenge [1995] In 1995 Ferrari introduced a race-ready F355 Challenge model for use specifically in the Ferrari Challenge, with 109 produced between 1995 and 1999. The Ferrari F355 Challenge shares the exact same performance and dimension specifications as the original - Ferrari simply added racing seats, a downforce wing and a roll cage. Each F355 Challenge has an emblem on the rear that specifically denotes 'F355 Challenge'. Gamers will recognise the F355 from SEGA’s seminal 1998 videogame, F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa.

Top speed 183 mph • 0-60 4.7s • Engine Size 3495cc • BHP 380 • Value $90,000 F355 [1994] The arriving in May 1994, the F355 represented a significant evolutionary step from its predecessor, the Ferrari 348. The radical reinterpretation of the original design involved bodywork and mechanical improvements, as well as a longer wheelbase. Particular attention had been paid to the F355’s aerodynamics, with the undertray being similar to those used on F1 cars to increase downforce. The F355 featured a mid-mounted V8 engine with 5 valves per cylinder head, making it considerably more powerful than the 348. Top speed 183mph • 0-60 4.7s • Engine Size 3495cc • BHP 380 • Value $70,000 F430 GT2 [2006] The 2006 F430 GT2 was built as a replacement for the 360 GTC.

It was designed to compete in the GT2 class, for events such as the American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series and FIA GT Championship as the fastest F430 variant Ferrari have produced so far. To ensure uniform car performances, FIA GT2 championship regulations require that the F430 GT2 is forced to run with the 4.3L engine downgraded to 4.0L. Top speed n/a • 0-60 3.3s • Engine Size 4300cc • BHP 525 • Value – priceless F430 [2004] The Ferrari F430 was unveiled as the successor to the 360 Modena at the 2004 Paris Motor Show. The car is regularly hailed as a technical tour de force, featuring several technological innovations from Ferrari’s Formula 1 program. State-of-the-art aerodynamics, carbon-ceramic brake discs and an electronically controlled differential, along with advanced engine and stability management software, combine to push the F430 to the limits of performance for its class.

Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson called it “just about the best car I’ve ever driven.” Top speed 198mph • 0-60 3.5s • Engine Size 4300cc • BHP 483 • Value $300,000 **************************************************************************************************** **************************************************************************************************** BRUNO SENNA "If you think I'm good, just wait until you see my nephew Bruno," said the late, great three-time Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna of his ten-year-old nephew, who he regularly enjoyed racing go-karts with on the family farm. The year was 1993. Fast forward twelve years to 2005 and after just five races in British Formula BMW and Formula Renault, a twenty-two-year-old Bruno Senna was racing in the British Formula Three championship. The following year, Senna competed in the Formula Three support races at the 2006 Australian Grand Prix, winning three of the four races. He also finished the British F3 Championship in 3rd place with 269pts and 4 wins, with Räikkönen Robertson Racing.

For the 2007 GP2 Series Bruno drove for the Red Bull-sponsored Arden International team, finishing in the top 10 in his third full year of single seater racing with one win and three podiums. Bruno then moved to iSport International for the 2008 season where his team-mate will be Karun Chandhok. He aims to be racing Formula One in the 2009 season. It was while taking part in the third round of the Ferrari Challenge European series at Silverstone on June 9 and 10, 2007 that Bruno met up with System 3 CEO, Mark Cale. It was to be a fateful weekend for the young racedriver and the veteran game designer. Not only did Senna, driving an F430, win both of his races - starting each from pole, but he also discovered that Cale was developing the official Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli videogame. “Mark [Cale] wanted the game to be as realistic as possible. We both share a deep love of videogames, which we realised after he saw me playing on the Ferrari simulator game at Silverstone,” Bruno recalls.

“Mark said to me, look, I’m making this game and I’d like to know if you would like to get involved as a consultant. You have good experience with the cars, so you can help us ensure we get the handling right. So that’s really how it started. I went up to the developers at Eutechnyx for the first time and we fiddled with the game, with the basics, trying to make the physics right, making sure the F430 was doing everything it should do.” “After that, we set up the other cars. We initially developed eighteen cars for the game, most of which I drove. In every case we got all the relevant information from Ferrari and I called people that I know, so we had the best feedback information possible. Each car has its own unique qualities. The older cars have worse brakes and slightly thinner tires that are a little less responsive, so they drift better. Each car has a particular characteristic that is very much its own. Then, after we nailed the cars, we moved onto the circuits from the Ferrari Challenge series, which have been captured beautifully, right down to the every last detail. The profiles of the corners are superb, as are the slopes and cambers of the circuits.

We’ve made sure that they are as close to reality as possible.” System 3 CEO, Mark Cale is in no doubt that Bruno’s contribution as handling consultant on Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli adds the magic touch: “Ferrari has provided us with all the relevant performance data and the stats and the figures for each car in the game. And Bruno is somebody who can really make sense of it. He is somebody who knows how the cars feel. And what’s really unique about this game is not just that Bruno is only one of the world’s greatest racedrivers, he’s actually a hardcore videogame fanatic. So it was really like having our own test driver in the game.” Bruno’s list of favourite racing games includes early titles such as the legendary ‘90s PC sim, Geoff Crammond’s F1 Grand Prix 2 as well as arcade classics such as SEGA Rally and, of course, SEGA’s very own Ferrari F355 Challenge. “Basically, growing up, I just played racing games on every format I could get my hands on,” he admits, “and I’m confident that our game is now the true spiritual successor to Ferrari F355 Challenge.”

Question: In Italian sport, what name is given to the fanatical groups of supporters, particularly of the Ferrari motor racing team?
Answer: TIFOSI